‘Kerala Social Security Mission' launched
In a major initiative for providing health facilities to poor sections of society, the LDF Government in Kerala on September 30, 2008 launched a programme titled "Kerala Social Security Mission' which included extending free treatment to children suffering from cancer.
State Health Minister Smt. P K Sreemathi said the Mission's main objective was to provide security to destitute, poor old-persons, children, women and people suffering from cancer. A total of Rs.65 crore has been earmarked for the Mission and out of this an amount of Rs.15 crore would be set apart for the treatment of children suffering from cancer, she said. The plan was to provide free treatment in Government hospitals, she added.
Under the mission, it was also decided to rehabilitate persons, who were discharged from hospitals, but have no place to go, Minister said. A programme to supply mid-day meal at Rs.Two to by-standers of patients in Government hospitals also would be undertaken, she said.
Meanwhile, State Labour Minister Shri P K Gurudasan said a comprehensive Health Insurance scheme, to be implemented with the assistance of Centre, under 'Health for ALL' would be launched in the state on October 2.
Gurudasan said the scheme under the Rshtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, is unique as it would provide insurance cover to all the people under below poverty line category (BPL) identified by the planning commission at free of cost. In the case of APL category, those who want to join the scheme have to pay a annual premium and also registration fees.
Letter of intent handed over on port development project
Government of Kerala on September 30, 2008 handed over the letter of Intent to Hyderabad based Lanco Kondapalli Power Ltd, the consortium selected to implement the Vizhinjam International Deep Sea Transhipment Terminal project.
Speaking after receiving the letter of intent from State Port Minister Shri M. Vijayakumar, Company Chairman Shri L. Madhusudhan Rao said they would start the project as soon as possible.
The project was expected to attract an investment of Rs.8000 crore over the years; Rao said and also assured the Government that project would be completed on a time bound basis.
Shri M. Vijayakumar said next process of setting up a joint company to implement the project and signing of agreement with the Lanco would be done in a month's time.
All necessary clearance for the project from the Centre had been received in a record three months time, he said.
State Civil Supplies Minister Shri C Divakaran, Chief Secretary Shri P J Thomas were among those present on the occasion.
Col G V Raja's birthday to be observed state sports day
Kerala government has decided to observe Oct 13, the birthday of Colonel Goda Varma Raja of the Travancore Royal family as state sports day, Sports Minister Shri M Vijayakumar said September 30, 2008.
The coming October 13 is the 100th birth anniversary of G V Raja, a member of the Travancore Royal family who emerged as a great sportsperson and a sports organizer.
He took special care in inspiring the youth into sports and was instrumental in founding the Kerala Sports Council in 1953. Raja occupied the post of Council President till he was killed in a flight mishap in 1971.
G V Raja also played a key role in establishing the Thiruvananthapuram Tennis Club, Flying Club, Kerala Cricket Association and the development of the airport in the capital.
The State Government would observe his birthday as State Sports day on the lines of the national sports day being observed in memory of hockey legend Dhyan Chand, the Minister said.
A public function would be held on Oct 13 to be attended by the State Governor R S Gavai, Chief Minister Shri V S Achuthanandan and members of the Royal family.
The day would be observed in all the schools in the state by arranging special functions.
Awards worth Rs 1.37 crore announced by the State Government for sportspersons of excellence would be presented at the function, Minster said.
Minister for Education inaugurated 'Vayambu'
Shri. M. A. Baby, State Minister for Education, inaugurated ‘Vayambu,’ a programme conducted by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and the Education Department to stress the need of cultivating reading habit among Lower Primary School students, at Vattiyurkkavu Government L.P. School on September 24, 2008.
Reading should encourage young students to develop their imagination skills along with the regular lessons, he added. Steps were already in progress to include sports education in school curriculum, said Shri. M. Vijayakumar, Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs. The ‘Vayambu’ programme would be initially implemented in Class II of all schools in Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam districts. As part of the programme ten stories in colourful laminated cards have been prepared for the programme. One story card per week will be distributed to students.
